[6] Ōwairoa is the traditional name used to describe the swampy inland areas away from the coast.

[6][8] During the Musket Wars in the 1820s, Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki sought temporary refuge in the Waikato.

[11] The sale was envisioned as a way to end hostilities in the area, but it is unclear what the chiefs understood or consented to.

[12] In 1854 when Fairburn's purchase was investigated by the New Zealand Land Commission, a Ngāi Tai reserve was created around the Wairoa River and Umupuia areas, and as a part of the agreement, members of Ngāi Tai agreed to leave their traditional settlements to the west.

[13][10] In 1847, Howick was established as a defensive outpost for Auckland, by fencibles (retired British Army soldiers) and their families.

[14] Botany Downs was the name of a farm leased by Vern Carr from James Wilson.

[15] The area was developed into suburban housing in the mid-1970s,[16] and Botany Downs Primary School opened in 1975.

[20] In the year 2000, a 153 unit condominium development called Sacramento was constructed in Botany Downs.

The development was part of the leaky homes crisis, and led to a multi-million dollar lawsuit by the occupants.